Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

4.2 V8 32v Naturally Aspirated - 414 bhp
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alcam21
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Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by alcam21 » Fri Mar 04, 2016 11:38 am

Hello All, new owner checking in.

Before buying my car the FAQs and variety of information on this site was invaluable, so thanks everyone.

I've been a BMW fan for a long while, stemming from my Dad's E28 520i that did huge mileage when he set up business, and was our family weekend car as well when I was a lad. I've owned M3s in the past, and before buying my RS4 ran an E46 330i, which I got on really well with and kept in perfect running order.

The BMW has done 112k and is around 13 years old, nothing too drastic, but I had begun noticing other E46s in carparks with slightly rough people getting in and out of them, so felt like a change was coming, especially as I sometimes use my car for business trips. My financial situation had improved during BMW ownership, and I came to the conclusion that a brisk estate was order of the day to carry around our young family.

Now, I like the design cues of the older BMWs, hoffmeister kink, low waistline and centre consule tilted towards the driver, but post Bangle, I find the designs a bit hit and miss, and overall too fussy. Lots of high waistlines, wheels that look small in the arches and creases everywhere to break up the slap sided designs. So BMW were not really considered. If they did an E46 M3CS Touring I'd be all over it.

Initially I was pretty set on a Golf R, as they drove nicely and were flavour of the month, but a hatch would be too small, so I looked into the estate. Features like the fake secondary exhaust tips and the fact that the visuals are a bit diluted when the R look is applied to the estate but me off. We have a couple of B8 A4 Avants in the business, and so looked into those, and also the S4 Avant with the V6, and thats when the RS4 came onto the radar. I was aware of the B5, but had never really become knowledgeable about the B7. If I chose wisely I could buy either generation of RS4 for the similar price of a newer 3.0 tdi or S4, and the lack of depreciation cost would help pay for the thirstier nature of the V6T or V8. Man maths!

The next thing was to test drive both generations. I found a garage nearby who happened to have both in stock, so set about arranging a drive. I started with the B5, very clean, but initially felt dated inside and small in the back. That engine though. It didn't sound that charasmatic, but the midrange punch was really something - probably the quickest feeling car I've driven. Next came the B7, and I instantly bonded with it. The engine felt really special and sounded really nice in the cabin at any rpm. This example was nice, but at the price hadn't had the main jobs done or much history, so I left it and began searching in earnest.

I couple of weeks later and a car came up in the classifieds which sparked my interest like a sprint blue car in a sea of black and grey, literally. This RS4 Avant was enthusiast owned with the following jobs done, and still under warranty:

- 4 x new DRC
- New clutch and flywheel
- New sus bushes all round
- New control arms

I happened to be working over near where the car was based a couple of days after I spotted it, so could easily drop in for a look around it. The stars seemed to be aligning for me. On closer inspection, the car was immaculate, good for 88k, with sticky exhaust flaps the only thing I could find that needed a fettle. The car had the following options:

- Slightly lower factory springs
- Buckets with cloth cushions
- Heated rear seats
- Armrest
- Set of rubber mats and boot liner for autumn/winter and original mats for summer
- Carbon airbox and CAI fitted

Image

So I put in an offer and came to an agreement. I really wanted the car for the weekend, and it so happened that the previous owner was picking up his new car, a 997 Porsche 911 from Leicester the next day. Much closer to me in Derby than Suffolk where the car was kept, so I agreed to meet him to pick up his new car and pick up the RS4.

You all know what these cars are about, but I'd summarise by saying that every mile feels special, and the engine dominates. The way it covers ground down the average B road leaves me moist palmed, but the RS4 feels absolutely planted. When you get to the next junction you remind yourself that you are actually in an estate car, not an R8.

So, the car is a delight with all the expensive stuff done, and joins my classic Alfa and the wife's Golf Mk5 as the family wagon.
Last edited by alcam21 on Fri Mar 04, 2016 12:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.

CRSRS
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Re: Alcam's SB RS4 Avant

Post by CRSRS » Fri Mar 04, 2016 11:47 am

Great write up and wise choice, sure you will continue to enjoy it and it looks a beauty. The day you dont look back when you get out of her is the day to change to a RS4 B8!.
2007 RS4 Avus avant - now gone
2013 RS3 black - bye bye
2013 B8 RS4 - Sepang, Ceramics, Buckets, Carbon pack, Sports pack, ACC, B&O, privacy. - now gone
2017 C7 PE - Panther, Ceramics, Carbon pack, BO upgrade.

jsingh
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by jsingh » Fri Mar 04, 2016 8:17 pm

Nice intro and congratulations on a beautiful example!

Audi Pardner
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by Audi Pardner » Fri Mar 04, 2016 8:32 pm

Really good intro buddy, and welcome. And additional points for buying a breadvan and not a taxi :D And almost the best colour :biggrin3:
Misano Red B7 RS4 Avant. 20" Rotors. KW adjustable spring kit. 8 & 10mm H&R spacers. MRC Stage 2 remap. Pre-cat delete & x-pipe.

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Surrey Sam
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by Surrey Sam » Fri Mar 04, 2016 8:54 pm

Great start to an ownership thread, keep it updated and well done for choosing the best colour :nodder:
Sepang Blue B8 RS4, MY14, All option packs, B&O, Adv Key, Adapt Cruise, Pan Roof, Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust, + more.
Previous - Sprint Blue B7 RS4 Avant, Ceramics, Sunroof, SS+, Buckets, FBSW, Bluetooth, 2010+ RNSe
Previous - Phantom Black B7 RS4 Avant, Black Optics, Titan pack, SS+, Buckets, FBSW

HYFR
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by HYFR » Fri Mar 04, 2016 9:21 pm

looks awesome !

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John Johnson
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by John Johnson » Fri Mar 04, 2016 9:46 pm

Congrats on the best rs4 by far ( the b7 Breadvan )
Looks a good one
Current toys in the garage
B7 avant in Daytona with ceramics and a few other goodies and lowwwww miles :-)
Ur quattro. lago Blue
Ur quattro. Mars red

Rs1600i
Transit custom sportvan

http://youtu.be/FWBUl7oT9sA

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RichieRS
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by RichieRS » Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:04 pm

Very nice acquisition :thumb:

As suggested by a few. The best colour :mrgreen:

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Robnic
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by Robnic » Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:13 pm

Looks very clean example good find, agree on colour :biggrin3:
B7 RS4 MTM K540 Sprint loon, Lysholm/Opcon twin-screw supercharger, Ceramics, HEL Hoses, Loba SM Fly, Sachs performance clutch kit, MTM full stainless exhaust system with freeflow cats & quad valved tailpipes, Hotchkis ARB's, Bilstein B16 Coil Overs, LED Rear lights, Interior & LED 50W DRL's, Buckets in race cloth, Black optics, FBSW, Titanium pack, Solar Sunroof, Adaptive lights, MTM 10mm spacers Fr & Rr, 193 Nav unit, 2nd careful owner :-)

alcam21
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by alcam21 » Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:15 pm

Thanks chaps.

Here are some more pics, actually from the seller, I haven't been able to get snapping yet; they are his bike racks!

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Also for your approval, my long term ptoject, a little Alfa GT Junior with some choice aftermarket upgrades. Anyone seen the Alfaholics gta in Evo this month? That's what I'm aiming for with this car but not so extreme. Slowly getting there.

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John Johnson
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by John Johnson » Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:42 pm

The last owner of mine had a classic Alfa ffs :lol:
Current toys in the garage
B7 avant in Daytona with ceramics and a few other goodies and lowwwww miles :-)
Ur quattro. lago Blue
Ur quattro. Mars red

Rs1600i
Transit custom sportvan

http://youtu.be/FWBUl7oT9sA

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daytonamart
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Re: Alcam's RS4 Avant Aquisition

Post by daytonamart » Sat Mar 05, 2016 3:08 pm

Looks great, well done.

Sprint Avant FTW. :nodder:
Gone B8.5 A5 Sportback Black Edition Plus Floret Silver
Current C6 A6 Avant Silver TDi S line snotter
Gone B7 RS4 Sprint Blue Avant
Gone 8P A3 Sportback Reflex Silver
Gone 8V A3 Saloon Daytona Grey
Gone B7 A4 Reflex Silver
Gone B7 RS4 Daytona Grey Avant

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